The Lions will be looking to continue their momentum from round one when they take on the Hurricanes at Coca Cola Park at 4.10am (ADST)
The reigning Currie Cup champions are on largely unfamiliar territory in being undefeated going into week two for the first time in three years, and they will fancy their chances in front of a home crowd desperate for success and against a side regarded by many as the weakest of the New Zealand.
The men from Wellington have been stung by the exit of many of their stars, notably Ma’a Nonu and talisman Piri Weepu, but no matter what side the Canes have put out onto the paddock in 15 years of Super Rugby, the one attribute they have all had is unpredictability.
Don’t read too much into last weeks results; the Lions won a messy derby, and the Canes were suffering from week 1 traveling syndrome, where the jet lag plays a huge role.
Expect the Canes to be a lot better this week with the effects of jet lag now a thing of the past, and expect the centre pairing of Tim Bateman and All Black Conrad Smith to cause havoc outside rising star, flyhalf Beauden Barrett. Cory Jane on the wing could also play a major role on which way this encounter gets decided.
For the Lions, they will hope Elton Jantjies is on song with the boot, and they can keep chipping away with those 3 pointers, forcing the ‘Canes into playing catchup rugby, and that is when the visitors are at their most vulnerable.
The Hurricanes to win an open high scoring affair by 7 points.
Emric
Guest
i emailed the lions management team and they replied with 15,115
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Terrific effort by the people of Dunedin and the highlanders organization. Best atmosphere ever at a australiasian super rugby game.
Emric
Guest
Kovana I think the stadium was having some work done to it so it was sold out at a reduced level of 23,600. The inital estimate was going to be 22,000 but they increased it because of high demand for tickets. The highlanders have done a brilliant job in listening to what their customers want and then giving it to them http://www.thehighlanders.co.nz/our-news/latest-news/191-tickets-go-on-sale-for-highlanders-v-crusaders-at-forsyth-barr-stadium
kovana
Guest
Also the Stormers vs Sharks match was 40,702 http://www.sarugby.net/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=100151&category=&leagueid=0&homeid=10261&awayid=10211&fullview=true
kovana
Guest
I find it strange for that Highlanders figure. It looked really full and sold out. Capacity on their site is stated as 30K. Yet some are saying they removed some stands and capacity is 25K... :?
Emric
Guest
I've been searching for the crowd attendance for this game and the other 2 South African Games as well as the actual figure for the Highlanders game (which I've seen one record as 23,000) I need Lions V Hurricanes, and Cheetahs V Bulls figures as well as the Highlanders V Crusaders offical figure
kovana
Guest
Anyword on what the crowd attendance was?
DC of nz
Guest
lance - thanks for the commentary mate.. (Canes fan in Sydney)
DC of nz
Guest
Woohoo ! canes win! One from two in the republic! The Canes have been written off by many but they will become a bogey team for some of the top sides this year .. It's time to swing behind the coach and watch a new team being formed ...
Lance
Roar Pro
Scrappy encounter was all there for the Lions taking but tonight the just werent good enough. Join us tomorrow at 06h35 GMT for the Highlanders v the Crusaders.
Lance
Roar Pro
80' lions secure ball from kick off. But they turn the ball over! Hurricanes secure the ball and kick the ball out on the siren for a super away win for a young side. Pat Cilliers called Man of the Match.
Lance
Roar Pro
76' lions attack from broken play and hollenbach hits th line at pace but knocks on. Canes building. Try now would be devastating for the home side. Take it through 9 phases. 12 phases. Inside lions 22m. Penalty Canes. Butch James offside. Cocky home fans now silent. Barrett to kick Canes into the lead. Drills the pen and lead by 2. Lions 28 Canes 30.
Lance
Roar Pro
75' canes on attack again from a lineout steal but they knock the ball on again. Anyone's game
Lance
Roar Pro
73' canes on attack close in but penalized for holding on. Welcome relief.
Lance
Roar Pro
72' Jantjies converts the conversion and it's Lions 28 Canes 27 what a turnaround.
Lance
Roar Pro
71' try James!
Lance
Roar Pro
70' lions work the rolling mail 10m out
Lance
Roar Pro
69' lions on attack again, and put a cross kick in, but they are tackled into touch.
Lance
Roar Pro
66' canes pinged fo offside amidst a rare lions attack. Jantjies will kick for goal bang in front. The kick is good. Lions 21 Canes 7. Exciting final 10 in store.
Lance
Roar Pro
64' canes starting to break tackles at will now